The Chevrolet Spark EV, an all-electric compact car, will be on display at this year’s Geneva motor show fresh from its international debut at the LA motor show last November.
Reputedly powered by the most advanced electric motor and battery system General Motors has ever built, the Spark EV is claimed to set the performance benchmark for electric city cars.
The Spark EV’s electric motor produces a useful 128bhp and a substantial 400lb ft. This allows the Chevrolet to go from 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds.
Power is sourced from a lithium-ion battery system that features active liquid cooling and heating to optimise its capacity and life.
Chevrolet hasn't disclosed the Spark EV’s potential range yet, but a fast-charging system allows the car to be charged to 80 per cent in 20 minutes.
Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe, said: "Just like Volt, this nimble battery-powered vehicle is a proof point for Chevrolet’s ingenuity in delivering smart mobility solutions."
Inside the Spark features a pair of seven-inch full colour LCD screens, one which functions as the instrument cluster and the other as the interface for the Spark’s media systems and climate control.
Chevrolet's Spark EV will also feature GM's MyLink system, allowing drivers to connect smartphones to the car for music playback, internet connectivity and navigation. A rear-view camera is also fitted as standard.
With more conventional looks and improved performance, the Spark EV will likely make an appealing alternative to other small electric cars, such as the Citroën C-Zero and the Mitsubishi i-Miev.
The Spark EV is predicted to cost less than $32,500 (£20,737) in the US before incentives. It will also be sold in selected European countries that have a growing EV market.
